From 2002 through 2012, the use complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage therapy increased among adults who did not have health insurance for these services, according to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey. The NHIS found no change in use of these services among Americans who had health insurance.
Health insurance coverage for individuals seeking complementary health approaches has not been widely studied. The most recent national data on this topic was released 20 years ago, the NHIS said.
Among adults who saw a chiropractor, 60 percent had some health insurance coverage. But for those getting acupuncture, only 25 percent of adults had insurance for acupuncture and for those getting massage therapy, only 15 percent had coverage such therapy. Adults received acupuncture and chiropractic care were likely to have only partial coverage, the survey showed.